Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3 - Page 435

Comrade · #**8681** Posted **May 17, 2014, 6:24 PM**

The funny thing is, a great deal of skylines go through a phase where one tower sticks out while the rest catch up. There feels to be an unwritten law that a building can't go higher than 450 feet and no one dares approach it, even though it's clear, based on other cities our size, we could definitely support a 500 footer - if not more. Maybe it's the conformity effect?

But then one tower breaks through and others follow. Someone mentioned the COB's construction. Prior to its completion, 136 East South Temple was the tallest (not counting the capitol & city hall) building in the city - at only 274 feet. So, even back then, Salt Lake didn't have a 300 footer. COB opens up, and the skyline dramatically went vertical throughout the 70s and 80s. I'm not saying that was the reason, but maybe it did kick start things just a bit?

But prior to that boom, this is what SLC's skyline looked like (photo quality 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵, but you get the idea):

The COB certainly stuck out.

But like I said, a lot of cities went through that with their skyline. Here's Minneapolis after the IDS Tower was built:

Now THAT is standing out.

I'd like to think it's a skyline going through its awkward teenage phase.

ajiuO · #**8682** Posted **May 17, 2014, 6:33 PM**

^^^^

I think the idea that we should only push it 5-10 feet at a time is ridiculous... If we have a tower that is substantially taller for a while.. so what?? How long did the cob stick out like a sore thum??

Comrade · #**8683** Posted **May 17, 2014, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajiuO

^^^^

I think the idea that we should only push it 5-10 feet at a time is ridiculous... If we have a tower that is substantially taller for a while.. so what?? How long did the cob stick out like a sore thum??

Agreed. In fact, I'd wager pushing it 5-10 feet taller has stagnated the growth process. I mean, it took 150 years just for the city to get two towers over 400 feet - and we haven't been able to add a third in 16 years. At that rate, we'd reach 700 feet in 2214.

Salt Lake's skyline would grow into a 700 footer. It'd look a bit odd early, but c'mon people, don't you think SLC's skyline already looks odd? It's not the most appealing due to its conformity and the fact every tower is on the same street it seems.

It doesn't help that the center of the skyline is the least vertical. Most cities don't have their two tallest on the far reaches of the skyline - unless it's a true wall of towers (like Chicago). So, yeah.

SLC Projects · #**8684** Posted **May 17, 2014, 7:53 PM**

I agree with all of what Comrade is saying. COB was the tallest and only 400 + footer til 1998 when the now Wells Fargo Center came along. And since then the tallest we had added was 99 West at 375FT with 111 by 2016 at 387FT.

ToysNoiz · #**8685** Posted **May 17, 2014, 11:17 PM**

Am I the only one here who likes SLC's skyline???

While I've said before that slowly add height by 50-100 ft. would be really nice, Adding in a 700 footer first would be really cool, too. Right now, I think SLC has three "tall" towers. Only two of those aren't boring to a visitor/tourist. If the CHH had a cool design, we'd have a defiant signature tower.

utenation · #**8686** Posted **May 18, 2014, 1:03 PM**

I said it a few pages back. Once you break the seal, the "new tallest" game is on. I think anything 500+ will be great. I also think the Lds church will also want to keep their status in slc. The Wells Fargo building has little to no separation from the buildings around it, so the cob appears to be the tallest. Something 500+ might change that.

jedikermit · #**8687** Posted **May 18, 2014, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by utenation

I also think the Lds church will also want to keep their status in slc.

Meaning...if there's a New Tallest (CCH), the LDS Church will want to go higher with a New (theoretical) Church Office Building?

jedikermit · #**8688** Posted **May 18, 2014, 2:09 PM**

...this is really nothing new or interesting, but I was downtown Friday having lunch with a friend at Zupas (400 South and 500 East or so) and at almost every intersection, or on almost every street for the blocks between there and Main Street, there's some kind of large-scale project happening, the majority of them housing. The housing coming online in the last two years has transformed that area -- what's going to happen in the next two years will do even more.

Even if they're not skyscrapers, the added density and population is huge. I love it.

Also, anyone else get That Look when you're with friends/family/spouse downtown and you go One Project Too Far in explaining stuff that's happening downtown? I got that one on Friday. But I was excited!

ToysNoiz · #**8689** Posted **May 18, 2014, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Also, anyone else get That Look when you're with friends/family/spouse downtown and you go One Project Too Far in explaining stuff that's happening downtown? I got that one on Friday. But I was excited!

Every time. But now, usually, I'll catch myself before and stop.

I can also be a little annoying taking photos.

delts145 · #**8690** Posted **May 18, 2014, 10:47 PM**

Thanks for this great update Utenation. That page went by too fast, so I bumped it for another look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by utenation

Here's some project pic updates:

145:

La Porte:

111/PAC:

Capitol Theatre:

Walker Center Green cover:

wrendog · #**8691** Posted **May 19, 2014, 2:01 AM**

So, my family is probably moving to San Antonio for work, so I am down here right now checking the place out. For being such a big city, the downtown area is pretty small and not very bustling. I was surprised. That said, the river walk is legit and lived up to expectations. I wonder why more cities don't do something like that. It's really neat.

CofIKid · #**8692** Posted **May 19, 2014, 4:13 AM**

I don't know if anyone noticed that the power lines have been removed in front of the future Courtyard Marriott. there are only three power poles remaining on 100 south in front of the Business on the Southeast corner of 100 South and 400 West.

Removing the lines will definitely help with the curb appeal of the hotel.

delts145 · #**8693** Posted **May 19, 2014, 11:03 AM**

Thank Goodness!! I know everyone has been wanting those lines removed for years now. I remember when I asked about it a few months ago, the thought was that they were staying. Very glad to see they're GOING.

How is Gateway Liberty coming along? Should be about ready to take occupancy.

Wren, that's kind of weird to hear you're moving to San Antonio. I've always thought of you has a devoted lifer. Do you think this will be for a long time, or just a few years?

Future Mayor · #**8694** Posted **May 19, 2014, 2:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

Thank Goodness!! I know everyone has been wanting those lines removed for years now. I remember when I asked about it a few months ago, the thought was that they were staying. Very glad to see they're GOING.

How is Gateway Liberty coming along? Should be about ready to take occupancy.

Wren, that's kind of weird to hear you're moving to San Antonio. I've always thought of you has a devoted lifer. Do you think this will be for a long time, or just a few years?

I actually went and checked out Liberty Gateway a couple of months back and they were already leasing the south section of three sections, I imagine that they are completely finished at this point and that the entire thing is available for lease.

So I was visiting my parents yesterday and we go to talking and they mentioned that their neighbor just moved hear from Georgia (USA), he was relocated here to scout property for the CVS expansion. They will be opening up many more locations along the Wasatch Front in the next few years. They said that the next time they talked to him they would mention that Gateway is a prime location for a drug store. I'm not sure if it will help, but at least it will be in the mind of a location scout.

wrendog · #**8695** Posted **May 19, 2014, 2:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

Thank Goodness!! I know everyone has been wanting those lines removed for years now. I remember when I asked about it a few months ago, the thought was that they were staying. Very glad to see they're GOING.

How is Gateway Liberty coming along? Should be about ready to take occupancy.

Wren, that's kind of weird to hear you're moving to San Antonio. I've always thought of you has a devoted lifer. Do you think this will be for a long time, or just a few years?

It could be a few years, it could be a long time. We shall see. I just finished graduate school and unfortunately, jobs are scarce right now in my field in Utah. What jobs there are do not pay very well, and yeah, student loans are looming large. Texas pays extremely well, cost of living is low and there are plenty of jobs.

My heart is always in Utah, but I gotta do what's best for my family's future at this time. That said, it is really beautiful out here and I think we will enjoy it. Don't know if I can handle all this Spurs love, but I'll manage.

utenation · #**8696** Posted **May 19, 2014, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Meaning...if there's a New Tallest (CCH), the LDS Church will want to go higher with a New (theoretical) Church Office Building?

Either that or have their stamp on the next tallest.. Not sure what the plans or current capacity is on COB but we all know they like to stay on top of status and image, especially with SLC being their HQ.

utenation · #**8697** Posted **May 19, 2014, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by utenation

Here's a question.. How are they hoing to get this crane out of this hole?

Scraperdude801 · #**8698** Posted **May 19, 2014, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by utenation

Here's a question.. How are they hoing to get this crane out of this hole?

Maybe it's the reason they've practically stopped work again.

utenation · #**8699** Posted **May 19, 2014, 4:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade

Wow, this pic really shows the elevation difference from North Temple to 4th south.

Viperlord · #**8700** Posted **May 19, 2014, 5:28 PM**

Record BLD2014-03357:
Commericial Demolition

502 S STATE
Salt Lake City
FLOWER PATCH
DEMOLITION

https://aca.slcgov.com/Citizen/Cap/CapDe...35&agencyCode=SLCREF&IsToShowInspection=

Record BLD2014-03302:
Residential Building Permit
460 E 400 S
Salt Lake City
Seasons at Denver Street
New, 6-story apartment building (the 2 lower levels are a concrete parking structure and the 4 upper floors are wood framed apartments.

https://aca.slcgov.com/Citizen/Cap/CapDe...07&agencyCode=SLCREF&IsToShowInspection=

Record BLD2014-03282:
Commercial Building Permit
1790 S WEST TEMPLE
Salt Lake City
Taylor Gardens
Four building complex for the Housing Authority. Three apartment buildings and 1 clubhouse/office building.

https://aca.slcgov.com/Citizen/Cap/CapDe...87&agencyCode=SLCREF&IsToShowInspection=